Brand New Pinot Gris and Sushi
As I was talking to our sales and marketing director about our next event at the winery, she mentioned we might pour our brand new Pinot Gris (which was bottled last week) at the Pinot Noir release. I told her I thought that would be quite appropriate as I thought the first was a mutation of the second.
Research showed that was the case. Along with Pinot Blanc and Pinot Meunier, Pinot Gris began as Noir. From black to grey. Although it seems that the leaves of both are fairly similar and it’s hard to tell the grapes apart at the end of a good growing season. Which was even more difficult in Burgundy, it would seem, since Pinot Gris was grown in among the Pinot Noir vines, to add acidity and softness to the wine.
Also grown in Alsace, Germany, Austria, and Italy (as Pinot Grigio), this grape has been slower to catch on in the New World. However, Oregon and California are taking on the challenge, which seems to stem from the fact it can lose its acidity if not picked at the right time. Cooler climates, therefore, work best for the grape.
I brought home one of the sample bottles from the tasting room to have with my dinner. Just look at that beautiful sushi-grade tuna and salmon I bought at the 99 Ranch Market in the East Bay. So fresh and, even better, super affordable. My camera, and perhaps my photography skills, cannot convey the impressive nature of the fish. I cut both in half and into small pieces and had with some edamame. The wine itself was lovely. On the palate, flowers, citrus, and a touch of melon. On the nose, lemon verbena perfume that older southern ladies love to wear. It could make a girl think she was back home.
….Farley Walker
February 2nd, 2007 at 10:50 am
Since I have a dear dear friend who’s favorite varietal is Pinot Gris/Grigio, I will attempt to find a bottle/order a bottle for her. She, too, will be 30 this year so we plan to celebrate many times this year. =) Although I had no yummy fish last night, I did have a bowl of sea salted edamame last night for dinner with some random savignon blanc. Not the best wine, but watching Alasen’s face when she realized I was eating beans “like popcorn” was classically worth it. =D
February 2nd, 2007 at 12:20 pm
WOAH that salmon looks amazing! I had a bean burrito last night. I wish i had had sashimi!!! Don’t you just love 99 Ranch? I just discovered it recently. I have to drive to the one off of wolfe road in cuppertino.
February 2nd, 2007 at 10:38 pm
Farley - what a gorgeous slab of ahi! I’m sitting here lusting after it, it’s almost like porn… such a thing is almost never seen here in the foothills…!
February 3rd, 2007 at 7:36 am
I think the photography does it justice! It looks delicious to me. My better than the pub grub we grabbed for dinner last night!
February 4th, 2007 at 6:00 am
Farley,
Do you know if there is any truth behind the “avoid white wine with shellfish” myth? I had a problem with it some years ago that landed me in the hospital but it was later ruled food poisoning. I just wondered if there was any concrete evidence behind the thought.
February 4th, 2007 at 10:25 am
Dawn, Maybe we can arrange a shipment when it comes ou–at a friends’ discount, obviously…
Sara, Jeff, and Megan, I love nothing more than to make people jealous with tales/pictures of delicious meals. Unless it’s sharing them.
Jennifer,
Who told you that? I’ve never heard it. You can’t beat Chardonnay with crab, Viognier with pineapple shrimp, Riesling and Gewurztraminer with Thai seafood dishes, the mlist goes on.
February 4th, 2007 at 11:22 am
Well, if we are making shipping deals, I may have to get a bottle for myself - since, well, you know, one should ALWAYS drink before one gives. =D
February 5th, 2007 at 3:52 am
Sake Bomb! Gotta love that 99 Ranch Market.